Mercosur

• Saturday, April 29th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Hi-tech raft to recreate Kon-Tiki 1947 expedition

  An international team set off Friday from Peru on a raft in a modern recreation of the epic 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition led by Thor Heyerdahl. The crew of six, which includes Heyerdahl's 28-year-old grandson, Olav, used traditional techniques to build a raft, named Tangaroa, (name of Polynesian sea god), out of balsa wood.

• Saturday, April 29th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Killing reinforces Uribe's commitment to democracy

  The murder of a sister of one of Colombia's most prominent political figures shocked the presidential election campaign and prompted President Alvaro Uribe to reaffirm his country's commitment to democracy.

• Saturday, April 29th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Mirage Dagger plaza to remember “fire baptism”

  Argentina's Air Force “fire baptism” next May first will be commemorated with the exhibition in Santa Cruz province of the first Mirage Dagger to enter combat in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict against Great Britain.

• Saturday, April 29th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Airbus A380 to make its debut at London Heathrow

  The world's largest commercial airliner, the 555 seat Airbus A380, will
  make its British debut when it flies into London's Heathrow Airport on 18th May 2006
  to carry out airport compatibility checks in conjunction with airport operator British Airports Authority (BAA).

• Saturday, April 29th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine Air Force exercise in Patagonia

  The Argentine Air Force operating from Patagonia is currently involved in air exercise “Pegasus” which is scheduled to last until next May 5.

• Saturday, April 29th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  US economy expands 4.8% in first quarter

  The US economy sprinted 4.8% in the first quarter of 2006, the fastest rate in two and a half years, following on a modest 1.7% in the last quarter of 2005 according to the Commerce Department.

• Friday, April 28th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  China raises rates to cool economy but, US unmoved

  US Treasury Department described China's Central Bank decision to raise its one year lending interest rates from 5.58 to 5.85% as “positive”, but demanded more flexibility for the Yuan in money exchange markets.

• Friday, April 28th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine squid industry complains low prices

  Since the beginning of the squid season last January 16 and the end of March, Argentina's Illex landings reached 123.845 tons, up 71.5% from the same period last year reported the Fisheries Undersecretariat in Buenos Aires.

• Friday, April 28th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Lan Chile profits surge in first quarter

  Chile's flag air carrier Lan saw profits soar 72% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2005.

• Friday, April 28th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner celebrates IMF Krueger's departure

  Argentine president Nestor Kirchner celebrated Thursday the announced departure from the International Monetary Fund of Deputy Managing Director Anne Krueger with whom his administration has had a permanent irritating confrontation.